Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-17

month ana on the DtoWs tucu win
laugh dancing in her eyes, she placed it
in his hand.
1t was his face, as real and vivid almost
as its reflection in glass; but his face
TRANSPORTED. The cloud OF sadness was
replaced by a smile such warm. frank,
glowing smile, as gladdens the heart to
see it; 1.-THE real sunshine of feeling"
At first he looked at it in puzzled
way, as if wondering what she had done
to his face, until his companion, looking
over his shoulder. uttered an exclamation
of surprise, aud then burst out:
"Owen, believe she has second sight!
she has drawn you as you looked six years
ago in the college days. Old fellow, if
you knew how smiles become you. you
would not be so chary of them"
Owens dark blue eyes frightened for a
moment with something akin to The smile
that glorified them in the picture; then he
sighed and mis- face grew sad again.
"You are a strange girl" he said, look
ing curiously at Muriel. do you know
what | would give to feel again as you
have made me look?"
You are rich, suppose" answered
Muriel. simply; and YOU would give your
whole fortune-at least. would, in your
place"
A look of perfect agony swept across
his handsome face, and he cried, passion.
ately:
Il would! girl; am very rich, and
would give ten times as great wealth, if |
had it, to bring back he stopped alb
rupty. and turned away. He came back
Immediately, and addressed Muriel,
thanked her for the picture, and then as
she was turning away, he hesitatingy
asked her name.
"Muriel Dovle." she replied.
"And mine is Egbert Owen" he said.
"Wll you remember my name and me?"
She bowed, smiled and walked lightly
away never glanciog back, though she
knew they watched her till the rocks hid
her from theil sight.
"What handsome man he is" she
solloquized, walking up the beach toward
her home.
but how sad and grave, and how sor-
rowful he spoke. wonder what the
trouble is? Perhaps he is in love and she
won't have him. She must be perfect
idiot"
Muriel did remember Egbert Owen.
nat WAS HSI uT5t duScDtuIc, huu uC " a.
its hero (for she scarcely thought of the
otheT; but she never expected to meet
him again.
The winter passed away and the sum-
mer came again, and with it came the
crowd of visitors TO the new hotel.
Muriel's quiet haunts were made to
ring with gayety, and since their seclusion
was gone their chieftest charm was lost
for her. Yet still she sometimes sought
them, at times when she was not likely to
meet the fashionabes. On one of these
occasions she was sitting among the rocks
when two women came and sat down near
her. but out OF sight. and talked.
Muriel scarcely heard them, until one
mentioned familiar name; then she lis
tened lntently.
YES" one of them had remarked, "she
was married yesterday, to the banker from
Chicago"
81 expected it long ago. sagely OBJ
served lady number two. "By the way,
did you ever hear Of the affair between
her and Egbert Owen ?"
mo, indeed: what about it P"
'She was engaged to him." said the
other 1t was some years ago, before he
went to California. He just about
worshippe3A her, they say, and she pre-
tended to be verv devoted to him; it is
likely she wanted his money. Well, one
day she got hold of that trumped up story
about insanity in the family. and she broke
off the engagement, all in flash.
The poor fellow was half crazy. but
she would not listen to one word from
him. She treated him shamefully, called
him an imposter, and accused him OF de
ceivlng her, and sent him away half mad
dened. My cousin, DR.. Thorne. says if
there had been a particle of insanity IN his
veins 1t would have shown itself then.
But that is all a story The only instance
of INSANITY in the family was sort of
cousin by marriage; but that was enough
to make a rumor, of course"
"And that explains Egbert Owens mel
ancholy ways, | suppose" queried the
other.
Eyes; he has never been the same man
since. He went off to California and only
came back last year. He is so changed.
poor fellow. Was that the lunch bell ?
Dear me We shall be late !" and the two
fastened up to the hotel.
Aud Muriel went home and thought
mOTe ludil ever VI CSpclt o"oH'
The summer and the early autumn
waned. and the guests, enc by one, went
home from the great hotel by the sea, till
all but two or three were gone; and
Muriel took to walking on the sands and
chasing the surges again. she was stand
ing on the beach one glorious au'umn
day, watching the sea gulls at their play,
wnen a step came to her side.
"Muriel DoyleP"
She turned quickly, knowing the voice.
1t was Egbert Owen. A smile that she
was quick to see, came into his face, and
he said, gently:
You have remembered me, then p'
81 have remembered you, Mr.. Owen"
"Am changed ?" he asked.
Yes" she replied. slowly looking into
his face, and smiling int eyes that would
smile back now Yes. vou are happier"
II am happier. Muriel DOYLE" he re,
sponded. Then he talked a little of the
sea view ard the birds, and then went
away.
But he came again the next day and the
next, and Muriel learned that he was stay
ing up at the lonely hotel. Every day,
now, he came to meet her on the shore.
and she walked with him up and down
he long, even stretch OF sand and the
hour when they met came to be the bright
est of the long, bright twenty-four to
~